Dr. Donald Ray Milam, 76, entered the gates of heaven early in the morning of Monday, March 18, 2013.

He recently became a resident of Michigan to be close to his son and family but spent most of his adult life in Phoenix, AZ.

Born October 19, 1936, in Moberly, MO, to Joe Elmer and Mary Margaret (Heiman) Milam, he was the youngest of two children. His sister, Joanne Meyer, of Rochester, MN, is three years his senior.

After graduating college, he initially became a teacher of Math and Science, eventually making his way to Florance, AZ, where he met and married Beulah I. Blackwood of Hobart, OK, on July 25, 1964. Two children followed, Debra Dawn and Stephen Douglas. After several years spent teaching, he earned a Phd in Psychology and dedicated himself to helping children with learning disabilities and issues of substance abuse. After retiring, he explored his other passion of working with wood. He excelled in both traditional wood working, such as making furniture, and also wood turning such as making bowls, pens and other turned objects. Additionally, he sometimes spent his retirement working with his son-in-law, John Springfield, remodeling houses. He greatly enjoyed the time spent with John and was happy to be able to do it until well into his 70’s.

He is survived by his wife, Beulah, of Kalamazoo, MI; his daughter, Debra (John) Springfield of Mesa, AZ; and his son, Stephen (Caroline) Milam of Kalamazoo, MI. He has five grandchildren, Britainy, John, & Sierra Springfield and Sarah and Alyssa Milam.

Funeral services for Dr. Donald Milam will be held Saturday, March 23, 2013, at the Paris United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the service time at the church. He will be laid to rest in the Clifton Hill cemetery near his grandparents, Ed & Leeoata Milam, and favorite Aunt & Uncle Elmer & Oleta Finnell.

Memorials are suggested to the Clifton Hill Cemetery Association.

Summerville Funeral Home in Salisbury is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.